DELEGATES at the 14th South Tyneside International Magic Festival (STIMF) are being invited to show off their skills in an informal contest during the event.

The annual convention, aimed at magic professionals and ardent fans, will take place from 16 -19 March in South Shields on the North East coast.

It promises a packed weekend of lectures, performances and demonstrations from some of the greatest names in international magic, with stars heading in from the USA, Asia and across Europe.

This year, attendees are being given their own chance to shine with a One Trick Contest which will be held as part of a Late Late Show on the Friday night at the Sea Hotel.

The rules are simple – delegates are asked to perform one trick or effect which shows off their skills. The trick can be really short or as long as needed, and contestants will be judged by their peers.

All delegates vote for their favourite three acts, and the one with the most votes will win. The winner will receive free registration to the 2018 convention, as well as a bottle of bubbly. Two runners-up will also receive a bottle of fizz.

Steve Gore, booker for this year’s STIMF convention, is hoping to get as many attendees as possible to step up and show what they’re made of.

“The One Trick Contest is a fun part of the convention and will give all the delegates a chance to show off their favourite trick or effect in front of a group of like-minded people in an informal environment,” he said.

“It will all be hosted by Kennedy, the mind reader with the best bleach in the business, and we just want attendees to come along and have a bit of fun and show off some of their skills.”

Delegates are invited to register their interest in the contest ahead of the event where possible, but there will also be an opportunity to sign up on the day.

Tickets for the 2017 STIMF convention are priced at £65 per person for the weekend. There will also be further master classes at an additional cost.